Abstract

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida, has a distinguished history as a significant cultural resource of the region. It was established in 1958 as a result of the bequest of art collector and civic leader Ninah Cummer. She had left the bulk of her estate, gardens, and art collection to create and maintain an art museum on the grounds of the Cummer family home in Jacksonville. The Cummer Gallery of Art [now Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens] opened on November 11, 1961, with 60 works of art. The celebration of the Museum's 50th anniversary in 2011 marked its development into a major Florida cultural institution, with a collection of over 6,000 objects in a wide variety of media, and a strong community presence via exhibitions, outreach programs, and art initiatives for children.

The Special Collections' holdings contain ephemera and printed materials which provide documentation of the Museum's exhibitions and programs from 1962 to date. Types of items include general museum and gallery guides, programming and exhibition guides, membership invitations and announcements, news items, and exhibition posters published by the Museum. In addition, Special Collections also holds a substantial number of Cummer Museum books, exhibit catalogs, and guides which have been cataloged separately from this collection.

Acquisition

The majority of the materials were donated by the Cummer Museum and Linda Lockwood Smith. Additional materials were collected by Archival staff. It is expected that materials will continue to be added to this collection.

Access to the Collection

The collection is open for research. For additional information and to make an appointment to view the collection, contact (904) 620-1533 or e-mail lib-special@unf.edu.

Additional Guides

Related Materials

Special Collections holds a substantial number of Cummer Gallery / Museum books, exhibit catalogs, and guides which have been cataloged separately from this collection. For a full listing, see the Library catalog. The following are some of the core cataloged volumes:

Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Produced and directed by Robin Shepherd Group. 1 videocassette. Provides a basic introduction to the museum and its gardens (3 min.) followed by an art of Florida pre-tour suitable for 4th grade school children (6 min.)

Tankard, Judith B. A Legacy in Bloom : Celebrating a Century of Gardens at the Cummer. Text by Judith B. Tankard ; photographs by Mick Hales ; with a foreword by Maarten van de Guchte. Jacksonville, Fla. : The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 2008.

Historical / Biographical Note

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida, was established in 1958 as a result of the bequest of art collector and civic leader Ninah Cummer. She had bequeathed her estate, gardens, and art collection to create and maintain an art museum on the grounds of the Cummer family home in Jacksonville. The Museum opened on November 11, 1961, with 60 works of art, as the Cummer Gallery of Art. A name change to Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens occurred in 1994 as the Cummer broadened its scope and mission. Significant building expansions also occurred through the years with the Museum's evolution and development: New Gallery addition (1990); Lane Building (2002); Jacobsen Gallery of American Art (2005); and Mason Gallery (2006).

Major art acquisitions have enhanced the collection: Ralph H. and Constance I. Wark Collection of Early Meissen Porcelain (1965); Before Her Appearance, Frederick Carl Frieseke (1985); Stela of Iku and Mer-imat, Ancient Egyptian (1989); The Holy Family with the Infant St. John, the Baptist, Giorgio Vasari (1989); Ponce de Leon in Florida, Thomas Moran (1996); Sea of the Ear Rings, Takashi Soga sculpture (2008). Two educational programs and centers, Art Connections established in 1992 and the Weaver Academy of Art in 2007, have proven highly successful with the community. The Museum has also sponsored a plethora of concerts, films, gallery talks, and lectures which have provided broad cultural outreach and support. The celebration of the Museum's 50th anniversary in 2011 marked its development into a major Florida cultural institution, with a collection of over 6,000 objects in a wide variety of media, and a strong community presence via exhibitions, outreach programs, and art initiatives for children.

Scope and Content Note

The Special Collections' holdings contain ephemera and printed materials which provide documentation of the Museum's exhibitions and programs from 1962 to date. Types of items include general museum and gallery guides, programming and exhibition guides, membership invitations and announcements, news items, and exhibition posters published by the Museum.

Index Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection: